Slavia Prague’s Nicolae Stanciu is a man who poses a danger to Rangers Europa League last eight ambitions.
This was evidenced last week in the Czech capital when he fired in an exocet of a strike, leaving Allan McGregor stranded on the spot.
The Romanian international followed up that effort with a brace against Mlada Boleslav in the Czech First League last weekend, in a game they won 0-3.
He insists that game gives his team an advantage – in maintaining the momentum – compared to the free weekend that Steven Gerrard’s team had, ahead of the massive match on Thursday evening.
In the aftermath of their last game, Stanciu was reported to have said:
“Before this match, we didn’t think about Rangers, not even what happened last Thursday, what would happen in the next one, we just focused on Boleslav.”
“We know we can’t lose a lot of points in the league.”
“From now on, we will think of the Rangers, we will certainly be more confident after this victory, and we will fight there to get further.”
He was then pressed on the different preparation of the teams for the Europa League encounter.
“It’s true that a lot of players who played last Thursday played even now, it’s a bit tiring because we often play with a similar line-up, but it’s normal to be a little tired.”
“I think it’s better to have a match on the weekend and be in rhythm,” said Stanciu.
Gerrard’s men can’t afford to allow Slavia to have the space that they did in the first half in Prague.
For the goal, Stanciu’s movement was excellent as he manipulated the ball in a clinical manner.
We could see Rangers dropping deep initially to frustrate the opposition at Ibrox and denying them the ability to play forward in the direct way they did at the Eden Stadium, as they seized the initiative early in the game.
If Nicolae Stanciu’s threat can be eradicated, it will go a long way toward a successful evening for the Gers.